9 Buddhist lessons that will help you stay calm even when life is hard

Staying calm when life gets tough can feel like trying to keep a boat steady in a storm. But I’ve found that Buddhist teachings can be an anchor in such times.

Hi, I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthusiast. In my journey, I’ve discovered that Buddhism offers potent lessons that can help us maintain our calm, even when life is hard.

Buddhism doesn’t shy away from acknowledging life’s challenges. Instead, it provides practical wisdom to navigate these rough waters with grace and serenity.

In this article, I’m excited to share with you 9 Buddhist lessons that have personally helped me stay centered during tough times. These are not quick fixes but profound insights that can change your perspective and empower you to face life’s difficulties with a calm mind.

1) Embrace impermanence

Life is like a river, always flowing and changing. It’s a fundamental truth that everything in our lives is transient.

And yet, we often resist change. We cling to things as they are, fostering anxiety and stress when life inevitably shifts.

Buddhism teaches the concept of “anicca” or impermanence. It encourages us to accept and embrace the inevitability of change.

Think about it. The only constant in life is change itself. When we truly internalize this, we can let go of our attachment to things remaining the same. This, in turn, reduces our stress and anxiety.

When life throws a curveball your way, remember the Buddhist lesson of impermanence. Instead of resisting change, flow with it. Embrace it. Accept that change is a natural part of life.

Accepting doesn’t mean being passive. It means understanding that change is inevitable and adapting ourselves to it with grace and resilience.

This shift in perspective can be truly liberating and can help us remain calm even when life is hard.

2) Practice mindfulness

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Buddhism, it’s the power of mindfulness.

Mindfulness is about being fully present and engaged in the here and now. It’s about experiencing this moment as it is, without getting lost in the past or worrying about the future.

I remember a time when I was stressed over a project deadline. My mind was racing with worries about what would happen if I didn’t finish on time. I was anxious, distracted, and unable to focus.

Then I remembered the Buddhist lesson of mindfulness. I took a moment to just breathe, to bring my attention back to the present moment. Instead of fretting over future outcomes, I focused on what I could do right now.

And you know what? It worked. My anxiety eased, and I was able to concentrate on my work again.

Mindfulness doesn’t mean that we ignore our problems or feelings. It simply means we acknowledge them without letting them consume us.

By practicing mindfulness, we can cultivate a sense of calm and clarity even in the midst of life’s storms.

3) Develop compassion

Compassion is at the heart of Buddhism. It’s about recognizing the suffering of others and wanting to alleviate it.

But did you know, compassion isn’t just beneficial for those we empathize with? It also has a profound effect on our own wellbeing.

Research has shown that practicing compassion can reduce stress levels, boost our immune system, and even increase our lifespan. It’s like a two-way street: we help others and, in turn, help ourselves.

Developing compassion allows us to connect with others on a deeper level. It fosters understanding and empathy, helping us navigate through conflicts and misunderstandings with grace.

When you encounter someone who is suffering, remember the Buddhist lesson of compassion. Not only will you be helping them, but you’ll also be promoting your own peace of mind and wellbeing.

4) Cultivate detachment

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in the drama. We attach ourselves to outcomes, people, and possessions, often leading to unnecessary stress and disappointment.

Buddhism teaches us the value of detachment, not as a means of avoiding life, but as a tool to live fully without undue attachment to transient things.

In my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve into the concept of non-attachment. It’s about finding balance in life and understanding that clinging too tightly to anything can lead to suffering.

The idea is not to renounce the world and its pleasures but to enjoy them without becoming dependent on them for our happiness.

When we cultivate detachment, we can enjoy life’s joys without becoming enslaved by them and handle life’s trials without being overwhelmed by them.

This Buddhist lesson can be a powerful tool for maintaining calm and balance in the face of life’s ups and downs.

5) Embrace the middle way

There was a time in my life when I was consumed by extremes. If I wasn’t working relentlessly, I felt guilty for being unproductive. If I wasn’t constantly socializing, I felt like I was missing out.

It was exhausting and, frankly, unfulfilling.

That’s when I discovered the Buddhist principle of the Middle Way. It’s about finding a balance between indulgence and deprivation, between doing too much and doing too little.

I started to apply this principle to my own life. Instead of pushing myself to work until exhaustion, I began to balance my time between work, rest, and recreation. Instead of feeling pressured to always be “on”, I gave myself permission to enjoy quiet moments of solitude.

This shift was transformative. Not only did I feel more balanced and at peace, but I also found that I could be more present and effective in each area of my life.

The Middle Way isn’t about mediocrity or settling for less. It’s about finding a harmonious balance that allows us to live fully without burning out. It’s a powerful lesson that can help us stay calm and centered, even when life gets hard.

6) Accept suffering

This might sound a bit counter-intuitive, but one of the most profound lessons from Buddhism is the acceptance of suffering.

We often view suffering as something to avoid at all costs. We chase after pleasure and happiness, and when pain and hardship come our way, we resist and lament.

But Buddhism teaches us that suffering is a part of life, just as joy is. It’s not something to be feared or avoided, but acknowledged and accepted.

Accepting suffering doesn’t mean we invite or enjoy pain. It means we understand that it’s a part of the human experience.

When we accept suffering, we’re no longer in constant battle with life’s hardships. We can face them head-on, learn from them, and move forward.

This shift in perspective can have a profound impact on our ability to stay calm and resilient in the face of life’s challenges. Instead of being overwhelmed by hardship, we can navigate it with grace and poise.

7) Practice gratitude

Gratitude is another powerful Buddhist lesson that can help us maintain calmness during life’s storms.

We often focus on what’s going wrong in our lives, what we lack or what we desire. This focus on the negative or the not-yet-achieved can lead to dissatisfaction and stress.

Buddhism encourages us to shift our focus and cultivate gratitude for what we already have. It’s about appreciating the simple joys of life, the everyday blessings that we often take for granted.

Practicing gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring life’s challenges. It means acknowledging them, but also recognizing the good in our lives.

By cultivating an attitude of gratitude, we can shift our perspective from lack to abundance, from dissatisfaction to contentment. This can help us stay calm and centered, even when life gets hard.

8) Live in the present

One of the most transformative lessons I’ve learned from Buddhism is the importance of living in the present.

We often get so caught up in our past regrets or future anxieties that we forget to live in the here and now. We’re physically present, but our minds are elsewhere.

Buddhism teaches us to focus on the present moment, to fully engage with our current experiences. After all, the past is gone, and the future is yet to come. All we really have is this moment.

I’ve found that when I make a conscious effort to be present, I experience life more fully. I’m able to appreciate the beauty of the moment, whether it’s a shared laugh with a friend or a peaceful sunrise.

Living in the present can help us remain calm and grounded, even amidst life’s turmoil. It’s about embracing each moment as it comes, without getting lost in what was or what might be.

9) Cultivate inner peace

The ultimate lesson from Buddhism is the cultivation of inner peace. It’s about finding calm within ourselves, regardless of external circumstances.

Life will always have its ups and downs. There will be joys and victories, but there will also be pain and challenges. Our external circumstances are often beyond our control.

But what we can control is our inner state. We can cultivate a sense of peace that remains steady, even when life is hard. It’s not about avoiding pain or chasing pleasure, but finding a sense of calm within ourselves amidst life’s fluctuations.

Cultivating inner peace isn’t a one-time event. It’s a lifelong journey, a daily practice. But it’s a journey worth embarking on, for it can transform our lives in profound ways.

No matter what life throws your way, you have the power to maintain your calm. You have the power to cultivate inner peace.

Final Reflection: It’s a journey within

The essence of Buddhism, and indeed of staying calm amidst life’s storms, lies not in external circumstances but in our internal state.

These nine Buddhist lessons provide a roadmap for that inner journey. They point towards the wisdom that can help us navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and serenity.

Each lesson, whether it’s embracing impermanence or cultivating inner peace, is an invitation to look inward. To examine our responses, our attitudes, our fears, and our desires.

And in that examination lies the potential for growth and transformation.

In my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve deeper into these lessons, exploring how they can be integrated into our daily lives. It’s a guide to living more mindfully, more compassionately, and yes, more calmly.

Remember, staying calm when life is hard isn’t about suppressing emotions or denying reality. It’s about finding that quiet center within ourselves that remains steady even amidst the storm.

It is indeed a journey. And like any journey, it begins with a single step.

So why not take that first step today? Explore these lessons. Reflect on them. And most importantly, live them.

Because at the end of the day, the calm we seek is not out there in the world. It’s right here, within us.

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Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 15 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. Check out my latest book on the Hidden Secrets of Buddhism and How it Saved My Life. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.

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